Canada eliminates EU wine and spirits tariffs

21 October, 2013

ByHamish Smith

Canada has agreed a free trade deal that will eliminate tariffs on EU spirits and wine.

Once ratified, the Comprehensive Economic & Trade Agreement will see an end to EU and domestic wine and spirits competing unfairly in the market, and steps will be also be taken to make Canadian Liquor Boards operate in a more transparent way.

UK trade body, the Wine and Spirits Trade Association, welcomed the news and said the agreement would benefit white spirits in particular.

A statement from the WSTA said: “Ratification of this agreement will make the Canadian market a far more attractive destination for British exporters of gin, vodka and other white spirits who have until now had to compete unfairly against other products.

“Unlike exporters of brown spirits, exporters of white spirits from the UK to Canada currently face an import tariff.”